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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Feb 7th, 2022–Feb 8th, 2022
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Jasper.

Natural and human triggered avalanches are possible as winds continue to buffet and sculpt Jasper's snowpack. 

Weather Forecast

Monday night will be flurries, -10C, and light gusting 75km/hr West winds. Tuesday is expected to be sun with flurries, -8C, with light to moderate west winds. Wednesday will be similar with 4cm of snow, -4 to -8C, light winds, yet 1900m freezing level. Thursday will be comparable yet with slightly increased winds and 1600m freezing level.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate, gusting Strong to extreme SW winds are sustaining the Windslab condition yet it appears to be bonding well. The mid-pack is a supportive mixed and rounded grains with generally a consistent coverage at tree line and above except where the winds have scoured to ground. A Surface Hoar layer is buried 30cm deep at tree line yet inconsistent.

Avalanche Summary

Monday's Maligne and Icefield patrols noted several small loose wet low elevation avalanches triggered by the late afternoon warm sun on Sunday. One size 1.5 loose wet occurred at 5pm on Sunday at Medicine lake hitting the road. A size 2 cross loaded gully slab was observed on Sunday across from Boundary lake in a steep alpine SW gully.

Confidence

Wind effect is extremely variable

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Winds will continue Monday night maintaining this problem. Strong to extreme winds with some new snow is being redeposited on lee aspects. Be vigilant for a spotty inconsistent buried surface hoar layer 30cm down, whumpfing, or cracking snow.

  • Use caution on open slopes and convex rolls
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2.5

Persistent Slabs

Persistent slabs sit over different weak layers depending on elevation & aspect. It is critical to investigate these layers before committing as there is a lot of variability dependent on aspect and elevation.

  • Dig down to find and test weak layers before committing to a line.
  • Avoid shallow snowpack areas where triggering is more likely.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 3